Man’s love for automotive customization is never ending and these automobile enthusiasts often choose to debadge their car to make it look clean and to add to their aesthetics.
Though there’s nothing tricky in debadging a car it can be daunting. Because the car emblems or badges are often glued with a strong adhesive and they can leave a residue behind if not removed using the proper strategy.
So if you are looking for some efficient ways to remove badges and emblems from your car without any damage to the car surface. We will fill you up with valuable insight on the most reliable ways to debadge a car. Stay tuned!
What Is Debadging?
Badges are often manufacturer emblems or logos that refer to the make and model of the car. And it’s the personal preferences of the car owners that determines how they choose to customize their car.
Numerous traditional methods are used to debadge a car and no doubt they are pretty effective but that depends on how the badge was attached to the car. For example, if it is stuck to the car’s surface with some industrial adhesive it can be removed by heating it.
But in case the car emblem is attached with metal pieces or plastic clips by the manufacturer that can make the process a bit daunting and you might require professional help in that scenario.
So don’t try to go overboard trying to customize your car and do a proper inspection regarding what method will be suitable in terms of debadging a car.
How To Debadge A Car?
Though there’s no sign of debadging and it is up to personal preference if you want to do it, make sure to do it correctly. Doing it properly will result in fancy streamlined vehicles that gleam, or your car’s clear coat will be damaged.
Hence we have set up this list of the most efficient methods to debadge your car without any damage to the car’s surface. These methods also ensure that you have fun throughout the process.
Determine How The Badge Is Attached To The Car
Before devising a mechanism to remove the badge from your car it is vital to first identify how the badge is attached to the car surface in the first place. As it will help you to come up with an effective strategy that brings out maximum results with minimal damage.
So before starting the process of debadging, find out if the metal insignia is attached to the car with glue or with screws and rivets. So in case you identify the badges are attached with some strong adhesive, half of the work is done as it’s pretty easy to remove badges that are stuck to the car surface via glue. And you will enjoy the shiny new surface of the car after proper cleaning and a waxing coat.
In contrast, if screws or rivets are used to fasten the badge that might leave a hole behind after debadging. That would be a long after work of filling the holes and painting the surface, which must be done by professionals.
You can also check your car manual to find out how the insignia is attached to the car or else search debadging methods online mentioning your car model and year can also be helpful.
Check the interior of the car if any clips are passing through the car body to check if the badge is attached to the car with a clip.
Ways To Soften The Adhesive
The debadging process begins with heating the adhesive to loosen it for easy removal of the insignia and there can be several approaches to it. We have mentioned a few diverse yet compatible methods to debadge your car without any professional equipment.
Use Hot Water To Loosen Adhesive
When the emblem of the car is attached using an adhesive, the most convenient way is to use hot water to soften the adhesive. Make sure the water is steaming hot and not boiling, or else it will damage the car’s surface.
Now start pouring water onto the car surface using a thermos or any container right above the emblem. Make sure to pour a lot to ensure that the adhesive is softened throughout the badge as this will make it easy to remove.
The hot water is most efficient to loosen the adhesive for easy removal of the metal logo but make sure it is not too hot to burn the surface.
Use Heat Gun Or Hair Dryer To Heat The Emblem
Another methodical process involves the use of a hair dryer or a heat gun especially if you own a heat gun, removing car emblems will be a piece of cake. You can begin by plugging the hair dryer or heat gun into the socket and setting it on maximum heat.
Now you just have to apply heat to the emblem evenly to loosen the adhesive and make sure that you continuously move the heat gun to and froth. Try to wiggle the badge to ensure that heat is making the adhesive lose the car surface. It is now your signal to eliminate the badge from your car surface.
Use Adhesive Remover
When it’s about removing emblems that are attached to car surfaces with industrial adhesive, what can be more efficient than using adhesive removals? The adhesive removers are specifically designed to loosen the adhesive bond so you can debadge your car without leaving any filthy residue behind.
The adhesive remover can be easily purchased from any car cleaning gears retailer at reasonable rates. Now gently spray the remover onto the corners of the emblem and let it seep into it. Check if the emblem can be twisted by hand, it signifies that the insignia is ready to remove.
You can also use the adhesive remover after debadging your car to remove that adhesive residue and achieve that sleek shiny look.
Preying Off The Car Badges
After you have utilized the above-mentioned strategies to loosen the adhesive, it’s time to pry it off without damaging the car surface and there are several reliable strategies that you can adopt to get the job done without putting a lot of arm grease.
Use Dental Floss To Remove Emblem
One of the most sustainable ways to remove your car badges is to use dental floss or a fishing line. Though using dental floss is a safe option as the fishing line can damage your car paint or the clear coat.
Start by wrapping the floss around your index finger and wedge the floss between the car panel and badge and cut off the adhesive slowly. Keep moving it too and forth like sawing and pull it across the badge until it comes off.
It will be easier to cut off the adhesive if it is properly heated you will be able to take the badge off without breaking it.
Use A Card To Pull the Badge Off
A credit card or any other card from your wallet can be used to pry the badge off in case you do not have any proper gears to do the job. The process is simple and you will have to ensure that the adhesive is warm enough to cut with a credit card.
Now simply slide the credit card through the badge pulling it outward. Try to slide it from different angles around the badge to cut the adhesive. Repeat the method until the badge comes off but try to be gentle so as not to damage the car body.
Use A Plastic Wedge To Debadge The Car
A plastic wedge can also be an effective tool to get the job done without putting in a lot of arm grease. Approach the badge from multiple different angles using the plastic wedge and keep applying the gentle force pulling the badge outward.
Keep your actions gentle to avoid causing any damage to your car’s surface. Though using the plastic scraper is not an ideal option as it can easily break the badge while removing it so if you intend to reuse the badge, using dental floss is a safe option.
Cleaning The Car After Debadging
Once the badge came off it’s time to clean any leftover adhesive or residue to ensure that sleek and shiny look that you dreamt of. You will have to clean and wax your car as you always do with an additional step of adhesive remover.
Use Adhesive Remover To Remove Leftover Adhesive
After the removal of the badge, you will witness some adhesive residue on the car surface that needs to be removed. And in that scenario using a reliable adhesive remover is ideal, and that is easily available.
Spray the remover onto the adhesive and let it work for a few seconds. Now use the best car wash mitt or microfiber cloth and move it gently over the adhesive in a circular motion. Make sure to not go overboard throughout the process of debadging.
Also only apply the remover onto the adhesive and avoid its direct contact with the car paint as it can damage or remove the wax coating.
Use Soapy Water For Cleaning
Next, you can follow up with your regular car cleaning process or simply use warm soapy water to remove the leftover adhesive remover and adhesive. You can also read how to wash a car to clean your car and badge residue without any damage.
Use a sponge to simply scrub the area and make sure it’s clean to avoid any inconvenience later. Once you are done scrubbing, rinse the area with soapy water, and make sure to use the best car wash soaps that are specified for this purpose.
If needed you can also go for a fresh coating of wax or simply choose to polish the area as it will give your car a shiny new-looking appearance that gleams on the roads. But ensure to thoroughly clean and dry your car before you take it out on the roads to sway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have queries regarding debadging your car or do you simply want to know more about the process? Read the answers given below to get a better grip on the matter and to make educated decisions.
Q.1. Is It legal to debadge a car?
Yes, debadging a car is legal and it bears no legal implications regarding your car’s identity verification. Removing badges from the car is about personal preference and you can always choose to have a car with no vehicle branding logos or badges. Read More.
Q.2. Is it easy to debadge a car at home without any professional gear?
Yes, you can easily debadge a car using household gears available at your disposal. Most automotive badges are stuck to the surface with industrial glue that can be softened or removed using a heat gun and then by scrapping with a plastic wedge or dental floss.
Q.3. What’s the purpose of debadging a car?
Though debadging a car does not serve any significant purpose, it can make the cleaning process a lot easier. As the badges will not trap the dirt or wax and the waxing or polish application will be a lot easier.
Besides, people also choose to remove car emblems to attain a sleek modified car or to simply decommercialize the vehicle.
Q.4. Does debadging a car affect its resale value?
Though nothing is specified regarding the effects of debadging on the resale value of the car. And if your car is in good working condition, it’s unlikely that the buyer’s decision will be swayed just because of debadging. Though it may depend on the purchaser if they prefer a car with all its commercial logos and badges. But the process of debadging is reversible and you will always have the option to reattach those badges to your car surface.
Final Words
Despite the fact that you were careful and gentle while removing the emblems you might end up with a few scratches on the car panel. But you can minimize the effects using a good car polish or simply waxing the area.
If you own an old car, debadging might not be a favorable choice as the badge mark might be visible because of the sun fading the car paint. But the choice is yours and you can always modify and customize your car just the way you please.
